Initially Johnstonville was known as Toadtown. According to Farris & Smith (1882) “Tradition hath it that in the early settlement of the valley, whenever a heavy rain-storm was experienced, the ground was literally covered with diminutive toads.” Lisle Lester, a noted journalist, wrote in 1865: “Toadtown is a mere bit of a hamlet, on the Susan River, notable for its name. I wondered why it was called Toadtown? Roseville would have been more appropriate for the banks of the river was fairly bordered with wild roses.” Johnstonville was named for Robert Johnston who, in 1859, along with his brother-in-law, Eber G. Bangham, traded a cow and calf to William Dow for his property there. At their December 7, 1864 meeting the Lassen County Board of Supervisors ordered the Toadtown Voting Precinct be changed to Johnstonville, and the Toadtown name faded into oblivion. It should also be the school their was originally known as Susan River and the name was changed to Johnstonville in 1877.